I recently spent a rainy Sunday testing different preamps on my (highly modified) Audio-Technica AT-LP120. I was curious to see how much impact different preamps have on the sound quality of the turntable.
I swapped between the preamp that is built into my Denon PMA-1600NE amplifier, the very inexpensive Pyle Phono Preamp and my higher-end Rega Fono Mini A2D that I love so much.
I have removed the internal preamp of my AT-LP120. So, unfortunately, I could include that one in the comparison.
I also did a lot of reading on different forums to see what the vinyl communities thoughts are on this subject.
The Rega Fono Mini A2D is often mentioned as a great choice for the AT-LP120. Other phono preamps that are often recommended by the community are the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo and the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS.
I think these three preamps all have a selling price that makes sense for the AT-LP120. They are significant money, but not crazy expensive. They will keep you covered for a long time, even if you upgrade other parts of your stereo.
My personal view on solid-state (not tube) phono preamps is that they don’t have to be crazy expensive to do a great job if a good and neutral sound is what you looking for. A decent preamp with the right impedance for your cartridge will take you a very long way.
I think there is much more gain to be made in replacing entry-level cartridges, speakers and amplifiers with higher quality gear. Rather than spending a big part of your Hi-Fi budget on a phono preamp.
A phono preamp is essentially a very simple electronic circuit, and as long as it is decent, it won’t become the weak link in your Hi-Fi chain before the other components are of very high quality.
Technically, it just makes no sense that a solid-state phono preamp should cost thousands of dollars to be great. And this is an electronics engineer speaking.
The story might be different for tube phono preamps. But for solid-state, I don’t think you need a crazy budget to buy a very good sounding preamp.
My testing
The gear I used for this test is my Denon PMA-1600NE amplifier and my Bowers & Wilkins 705S2 speakers. I played a bit of Jazz, some Pink Floyd and a bit of Rock n’ Roll as well.
I also swapped between my two cartridges. The original AT95E that comes with the AT-LP120 and the VM540ML I bought a while ago to upgrade my AT-LP120.
With both cartridges, the Rega Fono Mini A2D sounds warmer and richer than the Pyle Phono Preamp. The Rega sounds both more engaging and more pleasant at the same time.
I think the warm character of the Rega Fono Mini A2D is a perfect fit for these cartridges. The VM540LM (and the discontinued AT440MLB it replaces) have a sound character that might be slightly on the bright side, if anything. And the Rega Fono Mini A2D balance out that brightness beautifully.
The preamp that is built into my Denon amplifier sounds somewhere in between the two external preamps. Maybe closer to the Pyle than the Rega if I am honest. Just as the Pyle, it doesn’t have the warmth of the Rega.
I recently did the same kind of preamp comparison using my Rega Planar 2 turntable with its Rega Exact cartridge upgrade. And the result was exactly the same. The Rega Fono Mini A2D sounded both warmer and richer than both the Pyle and the preamp in my Denon receiver.
How big is the difference in sound quality between the three different preamps?
I land on the same conclusion every time I compare solid-state phono preamps. They make a difference. But not a huge difference.
Upgrading cartridges and speakers can definitely make a significant difference on how a stereo sounds. I think the difference between phono preamps is much more subtle.
I think a $200 phono preamp is a good investment for everyone that love listening to vinyl records. But I also think it is an investment you do once. And then forget about the phono preamp for a long time.
With one exception, and that is if you are searching for a very special sound character. In that case, finding the perfect preamp might be a longer journey.
If high-quality neutral sound is what you are after, then invest $200 or so on a preamp, and then focus your future spending on other components.
What about noise?
I cannot hear any difference in noise and hum between the three preamps. They are all pretty much dead quiet in my ears. No problems at all in that regard.
In all honesty, I haven’t used my AT-LP120 for a while. I have used my Rega Planar 2 for all my vinyl spinning lately. But I must say that I was quite impressed by how good the AT-LP120 and VM540ML combo sounds with the Rega Fono Mini A2D preamp. I didn’t remember that it sounds so good compared to the more than twice as expensive Rega Planar 2 and Rega Exact combo. A pleasant surprise.
Conclusion
If you are looking to maximize the sound from your AT-LP120, a decent preamp is absolutely worth the money.
My top pick is the Rega Fono Mini A2D. It has a warm and rich sound that I think is a perfect match for the AT-LP120. Especially if you consider a VM540ML cartridge upgrade as well.
Other great options are the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo and the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS if we trust the vinyl community. And we probably should.
I do, however, not recommend that the preamp is your highest priority if you have just started on you AT-LP120 sound improvement journey.
I highly recommend that you upgrade the phono cartridge first.
When I replaced the standard AT-95E cartridge with a VM540LM cartridge, the sound of the turntable was more or less transformed. (After the new cartridge had broken in.) The AT-LP120 sounded so much more open and engaging with the VM540ML cartridge.
The difference in overall sound quality between the $20 Pyle preamp and the $200 Rega preamp is smaller than the difference between the AT95E cartridge and the VM540ML cartridge. Still significant. And worth the money. But smaller. In my opinion.
My AT-LP120 upgrade recommendations
I know this is an article about phono preamps, but please let me use the opportunity to give you my most sincere advice on how to get the most out of your AT-LP120.
I have done a lot of mods and upgrades on my AT-LP120 so I have first hand experience with all the steps below. I also think these recommendations are very well aligned with the overall “body of AT-LP120 knowledge” in the AT-LP120 community.
So, without further ado, here is my step-by-step guide for getting the most out of your AT-LP120.
Step 1: Cartridge
One of the most popular articles here on Vinyl Restart is my best cartridge upgrade for AT-LP120 article.
In that article, I recommend the VM540ML as the best cartridge upgrade for AT-LP120. The VM540ML replaces the now discontinued and super popular AT440ML cartridge.
I strongly believe that investing in a VM540ML cartridge is the very first step to take if you want the most out of your AT-LP120.
I have included a very interesting video on the AT440/VM540 from Vinyl TV below. A great video to watch if you have the time.
Below is another video where a turntable designer talks about the importance of the phono cartridge. A very interesting video as well.
Step 2: Preamp
If (or when) you have a cartridge that you are happy with, I think it is time to consider investing in a decent phono preamp. Until then, my advice is to simply use the one that is built into the AT-LP120 or a budget option like the Pyle.
My top pick is the Rega Fono Mini A2D. It is made by some of the most acknowledged engineers in the industry, it has won awards, and it is often mentioned as a great option for the AT-LP120. I have owned this for a while and I love it.
Other great picks are the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo and the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS. I don’t have first hand experience with any of these but all my research indicate that they are great products and they are often mentioned as great options for the AT-LP120 as well.
I have not tested every possible preamp with the AT-LP120, so consider my recommendations as general guidelines. I can’t say that these are the very best preamp picks for the AT-LP120 with 100% certainty. But I am very confident that they are very good options.
Step 3: Preamp removal (Optional)
You might be familiar with the preamp removal mod that is frequently discussed among AT-LP120 enthusiasts.
The theory behind the mod is that there are a few components that interfere with the AT-LP120’s music signal path even when you have bypassed the internal phono preamp with the PHONO/LINE switch. The components form a low-pass filter that interferes with the highest frequencies a bit.
So, removing the built-in preamp (or only the components that form the low-pass filter) makes the turntable a bit more open in the top end.
I have done the preamp mod on my AT-LP120. It has a positive effect on the top end but it is not huge. Considered the risk involved with removing the preamp (you can break the turntable if you are unlucky), this is not a mod I would recommend for most AT-LP120 owners.
I would only recommend this mod if you are savvy with a soldering iron and have a bit of knowledge about electric circuits. Or know someone that is and can help you out.
You can read my whole preamp removal article here.
Step 4: Rubber Mat or Cork Mat
The last upgrade I would recommend is to replace the original felt mat with a cork mat or a rubber mat. It won’t transform your AT-LP120, but it has a positive effect on the sound. And considered the low cost, it is probably worth it for most AT-LP120 owners.
You can read my AT-LP120 mat upgrade article here.